VAPD Shout-Out: Dr. Joyce Fernandes
A special shout-out to Dr. Joyce Fernandes, our PPA (VA Public Policy Advocate), for her continued dedication to dental public health and her commitment to advocating for Virginia’s children.
We are especially proud to recognize her thoughtful work highlighting the importance of community water fluoridation, as well as her well-deserved Northern Virginia Dental Society Presidential Citation for her work in Dental Public Health. Recent U.S. research adds important evidence to the fluoridation conversation. A national study of 26,820 students found that exposure to fluoride at levels typical of community water fluoridation was associated with modestly better adolescent cognitive performance, with no evidence of harm to cognitive functioning later in adulthood.
Congratulations, Joyce! Thank you for continuing to educate, advocate, and be such a strong voice for the oral health and well-being of our children. We are so fortunate to have you representing VAPD!
